Joey Cope On The Power Of Negotiation

Joey Cope taught us that negotiation is the “consensual bargaining process in which the parties attempt to reach agreement on a disputed or potentially disputed matter” (CONR 605). The essential attributes of a successful negotiation include the use of bargaining tactics by the parties and a relatively equal amount of power for each of the parties. These aspects do not fit the relationship between couples suffering from domestic violence since the abuser already holds the power. Negotiation will not change the dynamics of such a relationship. While negotiation is an important aspect of our Western culture, it is not always the correct first strategy to implement when conflicts arise. A relationship with a history of domestic violence would be incorrect to utilize negotiation as their first strategy in resolving the conflict. In domestic violence cases, the abuser has more power than the victim and this allows the abuser to abuse his or her power in the negotiation process. This makes any bargaining method ineffective, giving the abuser the
Mediators may believe negotiation is appropriate after meeting with the parties and accessing whether or not negotiation would adequately aid in dealing with the domestic violence. Negotiation, in such cases, can preserve the family unit allowing both the parents and children a place to share their ideas and fears with one another instead of exacerbating the conflict. It also could be valuable if both of the parties were physically aggressive with one another or if the abuse was an isolated instance. In such cases, both parties have relatively equal power. Negotiation could also act as the catalyst needed for change, pushing the abuser to get help with his or her aggressiveness and anger